Art of shotgun shell loading



Oct. 20, 1953 J. E. VEUM 2,655,331

ART OF SHOTGUN- SHELL LOADING Filed April 50, 1951 2 Sheets-Shet 1INVENTORQ 5- yea/m, Y

mmdeqmow .HIVIH .lll ll' Oct. 20, 1953 .J. E. VEUM 2,655,831

ART OF SHOTGUN SHELL LOADING Filed April 30', 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIMIIH' I IN VEN TOR.

BY W m 777wuzemmza Patented Oct. 2 0, 1953 -8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements .in the art of shotgun shellloading.

Shotgun shells are relatively expensive, .and while theneed foraninexpensive shotgun shell has been recognized, thus far no satisfactoryinexpensive shell has been developed. Reloading of fired rifle cartridgecases has been carried out formany years and results in a substantialsaving, but due to the problems whichare peculiar to the loading ofshotgun shells, no satisfactory method or apparatus has heretofore beendeveloped for reloading spent shotgun shell cases.

While shotgun shells of a given gauge are uniform as to diameter andoverall length, the volumetric capacities of shell cases of differentmakes vary,-dueto the fact that base wads of various thicknesses areused in different shells. Each shotgun shell contains a powder charge atthe base of the shell and a shot charge at the opposite end of theshell. The space between these two charges must be taken up by a fillerwhich heretofore has been in the form of felt or paper Wadding. It isapparent that in reloading cases of various volumetric capacities itisdifiicult to ascertain and insertthe exact amount of waddingnecessary'for a given shell case. Since every shell may require adifferent amount of filler, the reloading of shotgun shells, includingthe insertion of satisfactory filler wads, is a time-consuming andtedious job.

In addition to the inconvenience of "loading shotgun shells with fillerwads therein, the wads themselves are relatively expensive and do notserve any substantial useful purpose except as a :filler and as a gasseal.

With the above in mind, a general object of the invention is to providean inexpensive shotgun shell wherein the filler materialtherein consistsof a non-abrasive free flowing granular material, the use of whichfacilitates the loading of the shell, said material also having slightlubricating properties and have-a non-erosive effect on gun barrels aswell as serving as an eflicient gas :seal.

Another general object of the invention is to provide an improved methodof loading shotgun shell cases which includes the step of pouring agranular filler material into -a partially loaded shell case over theover-powder wad therein and up to a predetermined height, thus leaving apredetermined space for the shot charge-within the end of the shell,regardless of the volumetric capacity of the shell case.

A further'general object of the invention is toprovide an'improvedapparatus for automatically measuring out the amount of granular fillermaterialrequired bya particular partially loaded shell, regardless ofthe volumetric capacty of the shell case and regardless of the type ofpowder charge used in the case.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus ofthe class described which is readily adjustable to compensate for theuse of any Weight of shot charge, no adjustment being required for avariation in the powder charge or type of powder being used.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus ofthe class described having embodied therein a fillermeasuring containerhaving a vertically movable bottom wall, the vertical position of whichis determined by the apparatus in accordance with the position of theover-powder wad of a shell being loaded, such that the effective volumeof the measuring container-is inversely proportional to the height ofthe over-powder wad of the shell.

A further object ofthe invention isto provide an improved apparatus ofthe class described having embodied therein apair of spaced coaxialsuperimposed funnels fordirecting the granular filler-material into themeasuring eontainenthe arrangement of the funnels being such thatpositive flow of the granular materialtherethrough is assured.

A-further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus ofthe class described which is simple and inexpensive in construction,which is easy to operate, and which can be used either for the originalloading of shellcases, or in the reloading of salvaged fired shellcases.

With the above and'other objects in view,,the invention consists of theimproved shotgun shell, and the improved-method of .an apparatus forloading-shotgun shells, and all of the parts, steps and combinationsincident thereto, as set forth in the claims and all equivalentsthereof.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specificationwherein are shown two forms of the improved shell and the preferred formof filler measuring apparatus, and wherein like characters of referenceindicatethe same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentaryside elevational View of the improved apparatusfor measuring shotgun vshellfiller material, showing a partially loadedshell and the relationship therewithof'the parts of-the apparatus duringa measuring operation, parts beingbrokenaway and shown in section;

Fig. 2 isa sectionalplanview-taken-approxi- :mately along-thezline 2--2of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a high base shotgun shellembodying the principles of the invention,

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a low base shotgun shellembodying the principles of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig.5.

Referring first more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, theimproved filler measuring apparatus comprises a base I to which is fixeda pair of spaced parallel upstanding members I I and I2 which may takethe form of round shafts. Fixed to and supported on the upper ends ofthe members II and I2 is a horizontally extending bar I3. The bar I3 ispreferably formed with a rectangular groove I4 extending longitudinallyof its upper surface. The bar I3 is also formed with an aperture I5communicating with the groove I4 as shown in Fig. 1, said aperturepreferably having frusto-conical sidewalls which extend downwardly andoutwardly from its upper end. As shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of theaperture I5 has a diameter smaller than the width of the groove I4.

Slidably positioned in the groove I4 is a shut- Off plate or gate valveI6 preferably having upturned apertured end flanges I1 and I8. The plateI6 preferably has a thickness substantially equal to the depth of thegroove I4 and is preferably formed with an aperture 3 I positioned onthe longitudinal axis of said plate. A retainer plate I9 is connected tothe upper surface of the bar I3 over the plate I6, as by screws 20. Theplate I9 is formed with an aperture 2i which is coaxial with theaperture I5 in the bar I3, and the spout of afunnel 22 is fixedlypositioned in the aperture 2I, as shown in Fig. l. A second funnel 23 ispositioned coaxially above the funnel 22, with the lower end of thespout of the upper funnel positioned in the lower portion of the bowl ofthe lower funnel. The funnel 23 is supported in this position by a pairof brackets 24 which are connected to the inner surface of the bowl ofthe funnel 22 and to the outer surface of the spout of the funnel 23, asshown.

The bar I3 is provided at one end with an upstanding aperturedlug 25,and a coiled tension spring 26 is connected at one end to the lug 25 andat its other end to the apertured flange ll of the plate I6. Theopposite end of the bar I3 is cut away as at 21 (see Fig. 2) to form abifurcation for receiving a pulley 28. The pulley is mounted forrotation on a shaft 29 carried by the bar I3. A rope or cable 30 isconnected at one end to the apertured flange I8 of the plate I6 andextends over the pulley 28, as shown. The opposite end of the cable 30is provided with a handle 32. The tension spring 26 normally holds theplate I6 in the position shown in solid lines, in which position theaperture 3I therein is offset from the apertures 2I and I5.

An elongated horizontally extending supporting bar 33 is aperturedadjacent one end to slidably receive the vertical shaft II, as at 34.The opposite end of the bar 33 is bifurcated, as at 35, to receive theupstanding shaft I2, as shown. The bar 33 is formed with a pair ofbearing bosses 36 and 31 on the opposite sides thereof and coaxial withthe aperture 34, said bearing bosses being operable to maintain the bar33 in a horizontal plane regardless of its vertical position on theshaft I I. Positioned between the bearing boss 36 and the base I6 is acoiled compression spring 38 which is concentric with the shaft II. Acollar 39 is positioned on the shaft II above the bearing boss 3'! andis provided with a set screw 40 for fixing said collar in a selectedposition on the shaft. The compression spring 38 urges the supportingbar 33 vertically upwardly, and its vertical movement is limited by theabutment of the bearing sleeve 37 with the collar 39. The supporting bar33 and the base I9 are formed with aligned apertures 4| and 42respectively, and a rope or cable 43 preferably extends through saidapertures, having one end connected to the supporting bar 33 and havingits other end connected to astirrup 44. It is obvious that, if desired,a handle similar to the handle 32 may be substituted for the stirrup 44.

A measuring container 45 which is preferably tubular and cylindrical inshape, has one end open and has the other end closed by a wall 46. Thecontainer 45 is provided with an axially movable piston-like member 41forming a bottom Wall therefor, there being a rod or stem 48 fixed toand projecting coaxially from the member 41 and through a suitableaperture 49 in the end wall 46. The outer end of the stem 48 is formedwith a threaded axial bore to receive an adjustment screw 53 which isprovided with a lock nut 5 I. The end wall 46 may be formed with a ventopening 52, as shown in the drawing. The outer diameter of the container45 is preferably substantially equal to the diameter of the upper end ofthe aperture I5.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the numeral 53 indicates a shotgun shellembodying the concepts of the invention and having a paper shell or case54, a brass head 55, and a primer 56. The shell 53 has what is known asa high base wad 51 of paper or othersuitable material. A powder charge58 of predetermined weight is positioned in the bottom of the shell 53as shown, and immediately above the charge 58 is an over-powder orgrease proof wad 59. Spaced a predetermined distance from the head endof the shell 53 is a wad 60 which may be made of felt, paper, or othersuitable material. A shot charge 6| of predetermined volume ispositioned above the wad 6!], and the outer end of the case is foldedwardly, as at 62, to form a closure.

In conventional shotgun shells the space between the shot charge 6| andthe over-powder wad 59 is filled with a plurality of filler or blackedge wads. A feature of the present invention from which advantageousresults are obtainable, is the use of an inexpensive granular materialwhich not only serves as an efficient filler, but which also facilitatesthe loading of the shells and has a non-erosive effect upon the gunbarrels. The filler 63 is a granular non-abrasive material which packswell to thereby form an efiicient gas seal but which nevertheless hasfree flowing qualities. This material also has slight lubricatingproperties, is reasonably light in weight (so as not to greatly vary theweight of the projected charge) and is inexpensive as compared withconventional filler wads. One of the materials which has theseproperties and which has proven very satisfactory in use is ground cornmeal.

Referring to Fig. 5, the numeral 53 indicates what is known as a lowbase shell embodying the principles of the invention. The shell 53 hasall of the elements of the high base shell 53, and the correspondingparts thereof are indicated by the same numerals primed. Comparing Figs.4

base wads 51 and 57'. "53 and 53' contain identical shot charges 6! andand 5, it willbe noted that the base wad 51' of fore, that thevolumetric capacity of the shell 53' is substantially greater than thatof the shell 53, due to-the difference in height of the Since both ofthe shells 6|, a well as identical powder charges 58 and 58', it followsthat the amount of filler material -63 required for the shell 53' issubstantially greater than the amount of filler 63 needed by the shell53. It will be noted that the wads 60 and 60 are identically positionedin both of the shells 53 and 53', but that the'over-powder wads 59 and59' are'in different vertical positions.

In loading a shotgun shell such as the shell 64 shown in Fig. l, apowder charge 65 and an over-powder wad 66 are placed therein under apredetermined pressure in the usual manner. The pressure is usuallyapplied by means of a plunger (not shown) having a diametersubstantially equal to the inner diameter of the case 64, and thepressure applied is usually approximately'75 pounds. Granular fillermaterial 63", which is the same material as the filler 63 of the shell53, is placed in the funnel 23, from which it flows into the funnel'22and thence down onto the plate Hi.

The stem 48 of the filler container is then inserted into the open endof the partially loaded shell 64, as shown in Fig. 1, and the open upperend of the container 45 is placed in the aperture I5 in abutment withthe underside of the plate 16. The base of the shell 64 is positioned onthe support 33 below and in alinement with the container '45. Thesupporting bar 33 is accurately positioned a predetermined distancebelow the plate [5. Since the screw rests on the over-powder wad 66 ofthe shell 64, the stem 48 holds the bottom member 41 in an intermediateposition such as that shown in Fig. l. A downward pull on the handle 32moves the plate It to the right to the dot and dash line position ofFig. 1, in which position the aperture 3| registers with the apertures2| and 15, thus permitting the granular filler material 63" to flowdownwardly therethrough and fill the container 45 'above'the bottommember 41. Upon releasing the handle 32, the spring 26 returns the platel6 to the solid line position, thereby preventing further down fiow ofthe granular material 63", and leaving the container 45 level full.

By pressing downwardly on the stirrup 44 the support 33 ismoved to thedot and dash line position against the action of the spring 38 tofacilitate the removal of the filled container 45 and the shell 64. Theshell 64 i removed first to permit the bottom member 41 to drop bygravity into engagement with the end wall 46 of the container 45, sothat none of the granular material 63" is spilled inadvertently. Themeasured quantity of granular material 63" is then poured from thecontainer 45 into the shell 64 over the base wad 66. A wad correspondingto the wads and 69' of Figs. 4 and 5 is then placed over the measuredfiller charge and the partially loaded shell is again subjected to thepressure of the plunger (not shown). This pressure compresses the fillercharge slightly. The shot charge is then placed in the shell and theopen end thereof is folded and crimped in the usual manner.

The inner diameter'of the'container 45 is preferably slightly largerthan the inner diameter of the shall 64, so that the volumeof the fillercharge measured out by the apparatus isslightly greater than the volumeof compressed filler required in the finished shell. Due to the factthat, for a given powdercharge, the height of the over-powder wad variesdirectly with the height of the base wad of a shell, the verticalposition-of the movable-bottom member4'i varies directly with thevertical position of the overpowder wad of the shell in which the stemlfi is positioned. This relationship causes the cliec- -tive volume ofthe container 45, i. e., the space above the member '41, tovary-inverselyw-ith the height of the over-powder wadof the shell inwhich the stem 48 is positioned. For example, the apparatus wouldmeasure out a relatively small amount of Lfiller material for a highbase shell, such as the shells 53 and '64, due to the- -relatively highposition of the oven-powdered wads of said shells. Conversely, the sameapparatus would measure out a relatively large amount of filler for alow base shell, suchas the 'shell 53', due to the relatively lowposition of the over-powder wad 59" of said shell. In each case, theapparatus measures out the exact amount of filler required for any shellof a given gauge having a given shot charge, and does so in accordancewith the height of the over-powder wad regardless of the volumetriccapacity of the shell. P It is apparent that the vertical position ofthe collar 33 may be changed by releasing the thumb screw it. For minuteadjustment in the amount of filler material measured out by the improvedapparatus, the effective length of the stem 48 can be readily varied byturning the adjustment screw 55 in said stem. These adjustments aredesirable to compensate for the use of a different weight of shotcharge-no adjustment being required for a variation in the powder chargeor type of powder being'used.

The improved shotgun shells are substantially less expensive than shellloaded in the conventional manner and with conventionalfiller-materials. The speed of loading shells bythe improved method andby using :the improved apparatus is much greater than has been possibleheretofore withcon-ventional methods and apparatus, and is particularlywell suited for the loading of salvaged, empty, used shotgun shells orcases by amateurs or sportsmen. In addition, the use of the improvedfiller-material, due to its lubricating properties, has a markednon-erosive effect upon gun barrels.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as maycome within the scope of the claims. 3

-What I claim is:

1. In combination: a support on which is adapted to be positioned apartially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder chargeand an over-powder wad within said shell; a filler measuring containeradapted to be positioned a predetermined distance above said support,said container having a vertically movable bottom wall; and a stem ofpredetermined length fixed to and depending from said bottom wall, saidstem being adapted to extend into the open end of a partially loadedshell on said support to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and tothereby position the movable bottom wall of the 7 measuring container apredetermined height above the over-powder wad in said shell, wherebythe effective volume of the measuring container is inverselyproportional to the height of the overpowder wad of the shell.

2. In combination: a support on which is adapted to be positioned apartially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder chargeand an over-powder wad within said shell; abutment means positioned apredetermined distance above said support; a filler measuring containerhaving an open upper end adapted to be positioned with the upper endthereof in engagement with said abutment means, said container alsohaving a vertically movable bottom wall;

and a stem of predetermined length fixed to and depending from saidbottom wall, said stem being adapted to extend into the open end of apartially loaded shell on said support to rest on the over-powder wadthereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wall of the measuringcontainer a predetermined height above the overpowder wad in said shell,whereby the effective volume of the measuring container when inengagement with the abutment means is inversely proportional to theheight of the over-powder wad of the shell.

3. In combination: a support on which is adapted to be positioned apartially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder chargeand an over-powder wad Within said shell; a filler measuring containeradapted to be positioned a predetermined distance above said support,said container having a vertically movable bottom wall; and a stem ofpredetermined adjustably fixed length fixed to and depending from saidbottom wall, said stem being adapted to extend into the open end of apartially loaded shell on said support to rest on the over-powder wadthereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wall of the measuringcontainer a predetermined height above the over-powder wad in saidshell, whereby the effective volume of the measuring container isinversely proportional to the height of the over-powder wad of theshell.

4. In combination: a, movably mounted support on which is adapted to bepositioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with apowder charge and an over-powder wad within said shell; a fillermeasuring container adapted to be positioned a predetermined distanceabove the normal position of said support, said container having avertically movable bottom wall; and a stem of predetermined adjustablyfixed length fixed to and depending from said bottom wall, said stembeing adapted to extend into the open end of a partially loaded shell onsaid support to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and to therebyposition the movable bottom wall of the measuring container apredetermined height above the over-powder Wad in said shell, wherebythe efiective volume of the measuring container is inverselyproportional to the height of the overpowder wad of the shell.

5. In combination: a funnel adapted to contain granular filler material;an abutment member adjacent the lower end of said funnel; a movablymounted support on which is adapted to be positioned a partially loadedshotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and an overpowderwad within said shell, said support being normally positioned apredetermined distance below said abutment member; a filler measuringcontainer having an open upper end adapted to be positioned with saidopen end in engagement with said abutment member in a position toreceive filler material from said funnel, said container having avertically movable bottom wall; and a stem of predetermined length fixedto and depending from said container bottom wall, said stem beingadapted to extend into the open end of a partially loaded shell on saidsupport to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and to thereby positionthe movable bottom wall of the measuring container a predeterminedheight above the over-powder wad in said shell, whereby the effectivevolume of the measuring container when in engagement with the abutmentmeans is inversely proportional to the height of the over-powder wad ofthe shell.

6. In combination: a funnel adapted to contain granular filler material;a valve at the lower end of said funnel; a movably mounted support onwhich is adapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shellhaving an open end with a powder charge and an over-powder wad withinsaid shell, said support being normally positioned a predetermineddistance below said valve; a filler measuring container having an openupper end adapted to be positioned with said open end in engagement withsaid valve in a position to receive filler material from said funnelthrough said valve, said container having a Vertically movable bottomwall; and a stem of predetermined length fixed to and depending fromsaid container bottom wall, said stem being adapted to extend into theopen end of a partially loaded shell on said support to rest on theover-powder wad thereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wallof the measuring container a predetermined height above the over-powderwad in said shell, whereby the efiective volume of the measuringcontainer when in engagement with the valve is inversely proportional tothe height of the overpowder wad of the shell.

'7. In combination: a funnel adapted to contain granular fillermaterial; a valve at the lower end of said funnel, said valve having agate movable in a horizontal plane for controlling the flow of fillermaterial through said valve; a movably mounted support on which isadapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an openend with a powder charge and an overpowder wad within said shell, saidsupport being normally positioned a predetermined distance below saidvalve gate; a filler measuring container having an open upper endadapted to be positioned with said open end in engagement with saidvalve gate in a position to receive filler material from said funnelwhen said gate is opened, said container having a vertically movablebottom wall; and a stem of predetermined length fixed to and dependingfrom said container bottom Wall, said stem being adapted, to extend intothe open end of a partially loaded shell on said support to rest on theover-powder wad thereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wallof the measuring container a predetermined height above the over-powderwad in said shell, whereby the effective volume of the measuringcontainer when in engagement with the valve gate is inverselyproportional to the height of the over-powder wad of the shell.

8. In combination: a first funnel adapted to contain granular fillermaterial; a second funnel positioned coaxially below the first funnel;an abutment member adjacent the lower end of said second funnel; amovably mounted support on which is adapted to be positioned a partiallyloaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and anover-powder wad within volume of the measuring container when in ensaidshell, said support; being normally positioned gagement with theabutment means is inversely open upper end adapted to be positioned with5 JOHN E. VEUM. said open end in engagement with said abutment member ina position to receive filler material References Cited in the file ofthis Patent froin salid seconlgl1 fuufil, said maintainer having 1;UNITED TAT PAT T ver ica y mova e o om Wa and a s em 0 T predeterminedlength fixed to and depending 1 ig i gg M from said container bottomwall, said stem being 170643 smith 1875 adapted to extend into the openend of a par- 283791 La i Au 1883 tially loaded shell on said support torest on the 326693 Th amps 1885 over-powder wad thereof and to therebyposition 1 847'520 Boyd 1932 the movable bottom wall of the measuringcon- 15 Bond E 1 1936 tainer a predetermined height above the overc

